Pre-Season Edition 8.21.17

Bushy Park Elementary

Welcome to the 2017-2018 School Year!

The excitement is building to welcome back 600+ students for our new school year! This year will feature a celebration of Bushy Park's 40th Birthday and the 10th Anniversary of being in our current building! We are looking for folks to help us plan an amazing commemoration! This will be discussed further at the September 12th PTA Meeting.Please review the information below. This is our new format for our Bushy Bear Tales which will be sent out every other week.

EVENTS COMING UP

August • 28- Postcards mailed home with classroom assignments

Classroom assignments available on HCPSS Connect on August 31 at 9:00 a.m.

• 5- First Day of School• 8- PTA Back-to-School Family Picnic @ 5:30 pm.-7:30 p.m. on the playground •12- PTA Meeting @ 7:00 p.m. in the Media Center•21- Schools and Office Closed•22- Schools Closed for Students - Professional Learning Day

STAFF UPDATE

Bears Moving On:

We thank the following staff members for their service to our Bushy Park learning community and wish them well as they begin a new chapter in their lives.

Sonya Beall - Mrs. Beall begins her teaching internship this year at Phelps Luck ES. As a result, she moves on from her role as paraeducator. Mrs. Beall served kindergarten for much of her time at Bushy Park ES.

Kristan Bond- Mrs. Bond transferred to Murray Hill MS where she will serve in several grades and realize the goal she has had of teaching at the middle school level! Mrs. Bond taught 3rd, 4th and 5th grades while at Bushy Park ES.

Kathy Felipe- Mrs. Felipe retired this past June after teaching for 30 years! She served at Bushy Park for much of that time, most recently in 4th and 5th grades.

Jenn Meikrantz- Ms. Meikrantz also transferred to the middle school level. She will join the Patapsco Middle School staff teaching both math and reading. She taught 5th grade while at Bushy Park ES.

Carly Norris- Mrs. Norris transferred to Phelps Luck ES where she will teach 1st grade this coming year. She wanted to teach closer to her family home in Columbia. Mrs. Norris taught 1st grade while at Bushy Park ES.

Nicole Smith- Mrs. Smith, principal’s secretary, retired this past June after 20 years of service to HCPSS, much of that time spent at Bushy Park ES. She has graciously assisted us in welcoming and orienting our new principal’s secretary, Kim Athey, mentioned below.

Paige Vane- Ms. Vane transferred to Ducketts Lane ES where she will serve as a special educator. Ms. Vane served as a special educator and worked with students in 4th and 5th grades while at Bushy Park ES.

Bears Moving Within:

We celebrate these changes Bushy Park Staff are making this year to grow professionally!

Kathy Buckley- Mrs. Buckley will serve as the kindergarten paraeducator moving from her role as special ed paraeducator. Mrs. Buckley spent time working with Mrs. Beall at the end of last school year. She brings experience at every grade level.

Christine Carey- Mrs. Carey joined us last year as a part-time Media Specialist. With Mrs. Richmond moving to 4th grade at Bushy Park ES, Mrs. Carey will assume the full-time Media Specialist role. She and Mrs. Richmond have collaborated on this transition since last school year.

Kathy Richmond- Mrs. Richmond requested to return to the classroom for this school year. She will serve in 4th grade. Mrs. Richmond moves from her role of media specialist and also brings her experience as a classroom teacher in several grades at Bushy Park ES. We are thrilled she joins the 4th Grade Team!

Sharon Walsh- Mrs. Walsh moves into the role of special ed paraeducator. She has served as a student assistant at Bushy Park ES. Mrs. Walsh brings her experience in all grade levels to her new role!

New Bears Coming to Bushy Park ES

We are excited to welcome new staff members to Bushy Park! Read to learn more about our newest Bears!

Meet Principal's Secretary Mrs. Kim Athey!

This is my thirteenth year with HCPSS and I'm very excited about my new position at BPES! I have held many roles with the county including Student Assistant, Instructional Assistant, Teachers' Secretary, School Financial Bookkeeper, and now Principal Secretary. My husband, Greg, and I recently moved to New Market, but we raised our children in Howard County. Our son, Chris, is 23 and our daughter, Mikayla, is 20. What I like most about elementary children is their youthful spirit and love of learning.

Meet Fifth Grade Teacher Ms. Katie Bezold!

Ms. Bezold is our newest hire and joins us to round out the fifth grade team! She recently completed her Masters in Teaching at Towson University and interned at both Centennial Lane ES and Triadelphia Ridge ES in 2nd and 5th grades respectively! Ms. Bezold has a very special connection to the Carson Reading Room, ask her about it!

Meet Fifth Grade Teachers Mrs. Katie Stanton!

I have been a teacher for 10 years, all of which have been in Howard County and all at Longfellow Elementary School. In my 10 years of teaching, I have had experience working with grades K-5 in some capacity. I have held several different roles including classroom teacher, instructional team leader, co-teacher, interventionist and liaison to different departments in the county. One of my favorite parts about being a teacher is seeing the excitement on a student's face when they finally grasp a new concept they have been working hard to learn. Another favorite is when I learn new things from the students!

Meet Principal's Secretary Mrs. Kim Athey!

This is my thirteenth year with HCPSS and I'm very excited about my new position at BPES! I have held many roles with the county including Student Assistant, Instructional Assistant, Teachers' Secretary, School Financial Bookkeeper, and now Principal Secretary. My husband, Greg, and I recently moved to New Market, but we raised our children in Howard County. Our son, Chris, is 23 and our daughter, Mikayla, is 20. What I like most about elementary children is their youthful spirit and love of learning.

Meet Fifth Grade Teacher Ms. Katie Bezold!

Ms. Bezold is our newest hire and joins us to round out the fifth grade team! She recently completed her Masters in Teaching at Towson University and interned at both Centennial Lane ES and Triadelphia Ridge ES in 2nd and 5th grades respectively! Ms. Bezold has a very special connection to the Carson Reading Room, ask her about it!

Meet Fifth Grade Teachers Mrs. Katie Stanton!

I have been a teacher for 10 years, all of which have been in Howard County and all at Longfellow Elementary School. In my 10 years of teaching, I have had experience working with grades K-5 in some capacity. I have held several different roles including classroom teacher, instructional team leader, co-teacher, interventionist and liaison to different departments in the county. One of my favorite parts about being a teacher is seeing the excitement on a student's face when they finally grasp a new concept they have been working hard to learn. Another favorite is when I learn new things from the students!

Meet Second Grade Teacher Mrs. Alison Stumpfl

Hello! My name is Alison Stumpfl and I am thrilled to join the Bushy Park community as your new second grade teacher. I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Northern Kentucky University and my Master's degree at McDaniel College. My teaching career began in 2004 at Bollman Bridge Elementary School, where I have had the privilege of teaching second grade, third grade and fifth grade. I also served as the Third Grade Instructional Team Leader the past six years. My husband RJ and I live in Westminster with our two children Bella and Tyler. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, and boating on the Chesapeake Bay. I am so excited to see so many smiling faces in a few short weeks and begin to build our classroom community!

Meet RECC Special Educator Mrs. Judeth Tittle

Hello! I am a recent graduate from Towson University with many great teaching experiences with children from aged 1 year old to students in fifth grade. I come from a very close family that has recently grown, as I got married in June. I live with my husband and my very spoiled dog, Lily, not far from my amazingly supportive grandfather.

I love working with the little guys because I love seeing how their amazing little minds work! They bring such happiness to my day with their energy and excitement. At the end of each day, I like knowing that the small amount of time they spent with me, helped them build the foundation of their future education. I am really looking forward to starting my teaching career at Bushy Park with Pre-Kindergarten!

Meet Fourth Grade Teacher Mr. Tim Wilson

Hello, my name is Tim Wilson and I'm so excited to join the 4th grade team at Bushy Park. This will be my twelfth year of teaching. I have taught everything from 1st to 5th grade, as well as, technology. My interests include movies, sports (I'm a huge Chicago Bears fan), playing golf and spending time with friends and family. Recently, my wife and I welcomed our first baby, Grace, into our lives. I can't wait for school to start so I can meet and work with all the wonderful students, parents, and staff that makes up Bushy Park. I love to explore new ways to build excitement in my students' learning. I look forward to meeting everyone at the start of the school year.

Meet Second Grade Teacher Mrs. Alison Stumpfl

Hello! My name is Alison Stumpfl and I am thrilled to join the Bushy Park community as your new second grade teacher. I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education at Northern Kentucky University and my Master's degree at McDaniel College. My teaching career began in 2004 at Bollman Bridge Elementary School, where I have had the privilege of teaching second grade, third grade and fifth grade. I also served as the Third Grade Instructional Team Leader the past six years. My husband RJ and I live in Westminster with our two children Bella and Tyler. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, and boating on the Chesapeake Bay. I am so excited to see so many smiling faces in a few short weeks and begin to build our classroom community!

Meet RECC Special Educator Mrs. Judeth Tittle

Hello! I am a recent graduate from Towson University with many great teaching experiences with children from aged 1 year old to students in fifth grade. I come from a very close family that has recently grown, as I got married in June. I live with my husband and my very spoiled dog, Lily, not far from my amazingly supportive grandfather.

I love working with the little guys because I love seeing how their amazing little minds work! They bring such happiness to my day with their energy and excitement. At the end of each day, I like knowing that the small amount of time they spent with me, helped them build the foundation of their future education. I am really looking forward to starting my teaching career at Bushy Park with Pre-Kindergarten!

Meet Fourth Grade Teacher Mr. Tim Wilson

Hello, my name is Tim Wilson and I'm so excited to join the 4th grade team at Bushy Park. This will be my twelfth year of teaching. I have taught everything from 1st to 5th grade, as well as, technology. My interests include movies, sports (I'm a huge Chicago Bears fan), playing golf and spending time with friends and family. Recently, my wife and I welcomed our first baby, Grace, into our lives. I can't wait for school to start so I can meet and work with all the wonderful students, parents, and staff that makes up Bushy Park. I love to explore new ways to build excitement in my students' learning. I look forward to meeting everyone at the start of the school year.

Meet Media Specialist Ms. Samantha Sitely!

I've worked at Westminster High School in the BEST program for 1.5 years and then had a subbing position at Blake High School in Montgomery County as a Media Specialist. I completed my practicum at Parr's Ridge Elementary School and this is where I first fell in love with elementary students. I enjoy their silliness and joy for learning and loving to read/listen to books.

I have two younger sisters, 20 and 21, both going into the school system to work. My mom and dad have a condo at Ocean City, where we love to go during any long weekend. Our dog Gillette (named after the New England Patriots stadium, we are avid fans) also loves the beach.

Meet Technology Teacher Mrs. Sarah Melvin!

Hello! I will be serving as your new part-time technology teacher. I have previously taught second and third grades as well as technology at various schools in the county. This school year will be my twelfth year of teaching. I am a Howard County native, a Mt. Hebron High School graduate, and a Towson University and Loyola Alum. I have a passion for incorporating technology into our students’ current curriculum to engage and empower them for a successful future!

I would also like to share the happy news that my husband and I are welcoming a new baby this Fall! I will be on maternity leave for the beginning of the year, but looks forward to being a part of the Bushy Park community this year!

Meet Technology Sub Mrs. Betty Goulet!

I will be the long-term substitute for Mrs. Melvin. I look forward to being part of the related arts team for the start of the 2017-18 school year. I have been a substitute teacher in Howard county since 2008. I have always loved technology and especially enjoy working as a substitute for Elementary Technology teachers. In fact, this will be my eleventh time serving as a long-term substitute in Technology. I look forward to working with your children on new concepts and reinforcing their knowledge of technology to help them grow as digital citizens.

Meet Media Specialist Ms. Samantha Sitely!

I've worked at Westminster High School in the BEST program for 1.5 years and then had a subbing position at Blake High School in Montgomery County as a Media Specialist. I completed my practicum at Parr's Ridge Elementary School and this is where I first fell in love with elementary students. I enjoy their silliness and joy for learning and loving to read/listen to books.

I have two younger sisters, 20 and 21, both going into the school system to work. My mom and dad have a condo at Ocean City, where we love to go during any long weekend. Our dog Gillette (named after the New England Patriots stadium, we are avid fans) also loves the beach.

Meet Technology Teacher Mrs. Sarah Melvin!

Hello! I will be serving as your new part-time technology teacher. I have previously taught second and third grades as well as technology at various schools in the county. This school year will be my twelfth year of teaching. I am a Howard County native, a Mt. Hebron High School graduate, and a Towson University and Loyola Alum. I have a passion for incorporating technology into our students’ current curriculum to engage and empower them for a successful future!

I would also like to share the happy news that my husband and I are welcoming a new baby this Fall! I will be on maternity leave for the beginning of the year, but looks forward to being a part of the Bushy Park community this year!

Meet Technology Sub Mrs. Betty Goulet!

I will be the long-term substitute for Mrs. Melvin. I look forward to being part of the related arts team for the start of the 2017-18 school year. I have been a substitute teacher in Howard county since 2008. I have always loved technology and especially enjoy working as a substitute for Elementary Technology teachers. In fact, this will be my eleventh time serving as a long-term substitute in Technology. I look forward to working with your children on new concepts and reinforcing their knowledge of technology to help them grow as digital citizens.

CLASSROOM PLACEMENT POSTCARD

We are in the process of finalizing class groupings. With new students registering throughout the summer, and some students moving out of Bushy Park, we have to adjust our initial class groupings. Please be on the lookout for your Classroom Placement Postcard. Postcards will be mailed on August 28.

NEW THIS YEAR!

If, for some reason, you do not get your classroom placement postcard, you will be able to access your child's homeroom class in HCPSS Connect on August 31 at 9:00 a.m.

Please note: You will only be able to get this information if your Family File is completed (see information below).

Family File Emergency Form is Open in HCPSS Connect

HCPSS Connect is open to update your Family File. This information is very important! Please take time to do this before the first day of school.

You will be asked to update or provide the following information:

Parent/guardian contact information. Please provide the most current contact information.

Emergency contacts. Who do you want to pick up your child in case you cannot?

Medical information

Arrival and dismissal procedures. How will your child arrive to school and be dismissed on a daily basis? Additionally, provide what procedure your child should follow in case of an unscheduled early closing of schools.

Media coverage. This includes students being photographed for ACE awards.

Data confidentiality.

PTA directory. What information do you want included in our BPES PTA Directory?

Supply List for 2017-2018

The supply list for the 2017-18 school year can be found on the main page of our school'swebsite.

We encourage you to drop off your school supplies during Open House on August 31. Please be sure to clearly label your child's supplies.

We had over 250 Parents submit a Parent Consideration Form in June, this is 40% of our BPES Community!

Click on the yellow bar below to learn how this graphic was generated and how the valuable information parents offered is used!